Agitating and mixing apparatus.



W. SYMMES.

AGITATING AND MIXING :APPKRATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED D3613, 1912.

1,065,852, k Patented June 24, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A TTOR/VEY WHITMAN SYMMES, OF VIRGINIA CITY, NEVADA.

AGITATING AND MIXING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 24:, 1913.

Application filed- December 13, 1912. Serial No. 736,543.

To all 'w/zom it'ma z concern:

Be it known that I, WHITMAN SYMMns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Virginia City, in the county of Washoe and State of Nevada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Agitating and Mixing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an improved miXing and agitating apparatus for liquid slimes, and has for its principal object to provide an improved apparatus capable of thoroughly oxygenating, circulating and agitating the liquid slimes contained within a suitable receptacle, and one which is particularly adaptable where the cyanid process is used, for agitating with air under pressure minerals which have been reduced to fine powder and when acted on are in a slimy state.

A further object of my invention is to provide new and novel air lifts capable of being removed from within the slime, or adjusted relative to the body thereof, while the apparatus is in motion 01' remains idle.

The invention further aims to provide novel supporting means for said lifts and positively driven means for dragging or propelling the air lifts through the slime.

Vith the foregoing and other objects in View, the invention consists of the novel combination of parts hereinafter more specifically described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In describing the'invention in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a view in elevation of my improved apparatus mounted inasuitable tank or receptacle, disclosing the standard, the supporting arms carried thereby, the air lifts and air supply pipes suspended therefrom, and the means for rotating the arms. Fig. 2 is a top plan view with the tank bro-ken away, disclosing the construction of the supporting arms, the manner of mounting the air supply pipes thereon, the air lifts, and the manner of suspending the same, and the flexible connection from the air supply pipe to the air lifts. Fig. 3 is an end elevation with the tank broken away,

disclosing one of the air lift pipes partly broken away, the air supply pipe leading thereto, the manner of suspending the air lift pipes, and the flexible connection for the air supply pipe. Fig. 4: is an enlarged detail of the lower end of one of said air lifts.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates a suitable open topped receptacle or tank, preferably cylindrical in form and which is adapted to receive the liquid or material to be treated, the same being delivered thereinto through a suitable launder 2, and the material after being treated, overflowing through an outlet or overflow pipe 3. A valve controlled drain pipe 4 is also provided and through which the entire contents of the receptacle may be drained when it is desired to empty the receptacle for any reason.

Extending vertically from, and supported at its lower end on a base 5, is a tubular sup porting standard 6, the upper end of which terminates approximately at the upper edge of the tank or receptacle 1, and supports through a bearing member 7, a rotatable supporting structure or frame 8, the outer ends of which terminate short of the peripheral edge of the tank or receptacle 1. The frame 8 consists of suitable parallel spaced members 8, united at intervals throughout their length by cross rods or bars 8 and connected midway of their length by a suitable casting 9, the undersurface of which is formed so as to seat in the bearing 7. Stay rods 6 connected to the base 5 and to a collar 6 clamped about the standard 6, maintain the standard 6 in a vertical position.

The frame 8 is rotated by a shaft 10 which extends centrally through the standard 6, and is secured at its upper end to the casting 9, and at its lower end is attached to a shaft 11, journaled in bearings 12, mounted on a frame, 14, which frame also supports the tank or receptacle 1. The shaft 11 carries a toothed wheel 15, which intermeshes with a worm 16 mounted on a power shaft 17 which receives its power from any suitable source through a pulley 18.

The agitating means consists of a plurality of open top and bottom tubular air lifts 19, positioned within the tank or receptacle l, and each of said air lifts is suspended from the frame 8 by a chain 20 which is connected at its upper end to an adjustable screw-threaded hanger bolt 21 extending through the cross bars 8 the lower ends of said chains being connected to the upper ends of hanger rods 22, the lower hooked ends 22 of which extend through openings in arms 23 extending radially from a collar 25, clamped around the lifts 1.9. Stcadying or indicating arms 19 are rigidly carried by the tubes 19 and the upper ends of said arms are connected to the frame 8 by a flexible chain 19 the chains preventing undue movement of the tubes as the same are carried through the contents of the receptacle.

trolled inlets 28, which control a common air feed pipe 29, mounted on and extending longitudinally of said frame 8, the pipe 29 receiving its supply through a vertically extending pipe 30 which intersects the same midway of its length and carries at its end a swivel connection 31 to which is attached a connection from an air supply, not shown. A vertical standard 30 is extended upwardly from the frame 8 adjacent the pipe 80 and provides a support for the same, and over the upper end of said standard extends a truss, rod 50 which is connected to and supports the outer ends of the frame.

The lower ends of the air supply pipes 20 are closed in any suitable manner, and are provided with suitable perforations through which the air is forced, the perforations are normally closed by a suitable elastic sleeve 33 surrounding the pipe and which is raised by the force of the air under pressure issuing through the perforations.

A screen or other fine mesh material 34.- is placed over the open upper ends of the air lifts 19, and the same is adapted to separate the air into fine bubbles, as it is forced or discharged from the upper ends of the lifts 19.

Auxiliary air supply pipes 35 are secured to the exterior surface of each lift 19, and terminate at their lower ends adjacent the lower ends of the air lifts 19, the upper ends thereof being connected by flexible tubes 36 to valve controlled unions 36 communicating with the air feed pipe 29.

'Assuming that the various parts of the apparatus are arranged as disclosed in the drawings and power is applied to the pulley 18, the slime or material to be treated is in termixed with chemical solution, delivered into the receptacle from the launder 2, and while the receptacle is being filled, air under pressure is injected into the material through the auxiliary air supply pipes 85, the air agitating the slime and preventing the same from. settling at the bottom of the receptacle. Upon the material in the receptacle attaining a sufficient height, the supply of air into the pipes 35 is cut off,'and the valves 28 are opened,permitting air under pressure to enter the pipes 26, and the pressure thereof will lift the sleeve 33 and escapes under pressure. through the perforations 32 into the air lift tubes 19. The suction caused by the upward force of the air in the tubes will draw the slime at the bottom of the receptacle into the lower end of the tubes, aerate the same, and discharge it from the upper end of the tubes through the screen material 34.

It will be observed that the air lifts in their movement through the body of slime will maintain a circulation thereof in the tank and the slime settling at the bottom of the tank will be drawn by the upward suction of the air into the lower end of the air lifts, and forced outwardly from the upper ends thereof.

By flexibly suspending the air lifts from the frame, the same will be dragged or drawn through the body of material and agitate or circulate the same in their movement therethrough,-and are capable of being independently adjusted in the material or removed therefrom while the frame is in motion.

The slimes after being treated flow from the tank or receptacle 1 through the outlet 3 which connects with a suitable separating apparatus for the solution.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a receptacle for the material to be treated, of an open ended tubular agitator flexibly suspended therein, and extending into the material to be treated, means for moving the agitator relative to the material to be treated, and fluid pressure means co-acting with the said agitator for forcing the material contained within the receptacle through said agitator and discharging the same from the upper end thereof into the said receptacle.

2. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a receptacle for the material to be treated, a rotatable structure supported above said receptacle, means for imparting rotation to said structure, an open ended tubular agitator suspended from the rotatable structure and depending into said receptacle, and fluid pressure means coacting with the said agitator for forcing theret irough the material contained within the receptacle and discharging it at the upper end thereof into said r ceptacle.

3. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a holding receptacle for the material to be treated, a supporting structure rotatably mounted above said receptacle, means for imparting rotation to said structure, an open ended tubular agitator flexibly suspended therefrom and depending into said receptacle, and fluid pressure means coacting with the said agitator for forcing therethrough the material contained within the receptacle and discharging the same from the upper end there of into the said receptacle.

at. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a holding receptacle for the material to be treated, a supporting structure rotatably mounted above the said receptacle, means for imparting rotatio-n to the supporting structure, an agitator for the material to be treated, the same comprising a plurality of open ended tubes flexibly suspended from the supporting structure and depending into the holding receptacle, and a pipe extended upwardly within the lower end of each of said open ended tubes and connected at its opposite end to a source of fluid under pressure for forcing the material contained within the receptacle upwardly through said tubes and discharging the .same at the upper ends thereof into said receptacle.

5. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a holding receptacle for the material to be treated, means for feeding the material thereto, a support-- ing structure rotatably mounted above said receptacle, means for imparting rotation to said supporting structure, means for agitating the material contained in said receptacle, the same comprising a plurality of open ended tubes flexibly suspended from said supporting structure and depending into the material contained in said receptacle, an air supply pipe carried by said tubes and extending at its discharge end upwardly within the lower end thereof, an air feed pipe carried by said frame and connected to a source of air under pressure, and flexible valve controlled connections between said supply pipe and each of said air feed pipes.

6. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a holding receptacle for the material to be treated, means for feeding the material thereto, a supporting structure rotatably mounted above said receptacle, means for imparting rotation thereto, means for agitating the material contained in said receptacle, the same comprising a plurality of open ended tubes flexibly suspended from said supporting structure and depending into the material con tained within said receptacle, said tubes be ing independently adjustable relative to the material to be treated, an air supply pipe carried by said tubes and extending at its lower end upwardly within the lower end of said tubes, an air feed pipe carried by said frame and connected to a source of air under pressure, flexible valve controlled connections between said supply pipe and each of said air feed pipes, an auxiliary air feed pipe carried on the exterior of each of said tubes and opening at its discharge end at the lower end of said tubes, and flexible valve controlled connections between said supply pipe and said auxiliary air feed pipes.

7. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a receptacle for the material to be treated, a supporting structure rotatably mounted above the receptacle, a plurality of open ended air lift tubes depending from said rotatable structure and extended within the material contained in the receptacle, and fluid pressure means associated with the air lift tubes for forcing the material therethrough from the bottom thereof and discharging the same from the upper end of the said tubes into the receptacle.

8. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a receptacle for the material to be treated, a supporting structure rotatably mounted above the re ceptacle, a plurality of open ended air lift tubes flexibly suspended from said rotatable structure and extended within the material contained in the receptacle and fluid pressure means carried by and associated with the lower ends of the air lift tubes for forcing the material therethrough from the bottom thereof and discharging the same from the upper ends of the said tubes into the receptacle.

9. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a receptacle for the material to be treated, a standard extending upwardly from the interior of the receptacle, a supporting structure rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of open ended air lift tubes depending from said rotatable structure and extended within the material contained in the receptacle, and fluid pressure means associated with the air lift tubes for forcing the material therethrough from the bottom thereof and discharging the same from the upper ends of said tubes into the receptacle.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WHITMAN SYMMES.

lVitnesses HARRY H. TOTTEN, D. B. RICHARDS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 1). C. 

